Dante Lavelli Cleveland Browns Legendary End

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Dante Lavelli, The Pro Football Hall of Fame end, was born February 23, 1923, in Hudson, Ohio. Known as "Glue Fingers," it is reported that he played in only three college games before he served in the US Infantry and then turned professional after his tour of duty was complete.

How could he be attractive to pro franchises with so few college snaps? Well, his Coach at Ohio State was the legendary Paul Brown, who remembered the sure-handed freshman. In 1946, when assembling the new Cleveland Browns team in the 1946 inaugural season of the AAFC, Brown looked Lavelli up.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's website, "To make the Browns, he had to beat out four more experienced and highly regarded candidates. But Dante not only prevailed, he led the league in receptions and won All-AAFC honors in his rookie season. He also caught the winning touchdown pass in the first AAFC championship game between the Browns and the New York Yankees."

Dante made the All-AAFC again in 1947, and after the Browns moved into the NFL in 1950, Lavelli was All-NFL twice and started in 3 of the first 5 Pro Bowl games played! He finished his Pro Football career with 386 catches and 62 touchdowns. Dante Lavelli was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

He along with Quarterback Otto Graham and others made the Cleveland Browns a formidable offense for the AAFC and NFL opponents alike to deals with.